Decorative device

ABSTRACT

A decorative device  10  comprises a central loop  11  and a plurality of flexible bows  12  each attached to the loop  10  by ties  17  and extending radially outwardly thereof. The device  10  may be used to decorate a bottle by passing a neck of the bottle through the loop  11  in such a manner that the bottle may be opened and poured with the device  10  still in place.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a decorative device, more particularly but not exclusively a decorative device for placement on a bottle.

BACKGROUND

It is often desirable to decorate items that are purchased as a gift for somebody. Typically items are wrapped or placed in a bag but this can create unnecessary waste.

Often a bottle of wine is taken out of courtesy to a friend or family's gathering to accompany a meal or as a thank you. Wrapping the gift may be unnecessary but it is often desirable to have some form of decoration to communicate a gesture of giving, and acknowledge who the gift was from.

Traditional decorations such as adhesive or stick-on bows are not adapted to fit bottles, therefore it may only be possible to decorate part of or one side of the bottle, which may be undesirable and may make the bottle difficult to handle when wrapped.

In particular wrapping bottles in paper or wrapping is often impractical and unsuccessful.

More particularly therefore, bottles are typically placed in a gift bag, creating an additional expense and packaging that is not required and becomes problematic for storage, wherein if the bottle is to be saved for use at a later date, it is not practical for the bottle to be kept in the bag and appears profligate to throw the bag away.

PRIOR ART

Accordingly, a number of patent applications have been filed in an attempt to resolve the problem or similar, including the following:

United States patent application US 2003/096066 (CLARK) discloses an attachment mechanism for a first object to be releasably attached to a second object, comprising: a first adhesive strip that has a first adhering surface for adhering to the first object, and a second adhering surface; a backer/stabilizer that has a first surface that is adhered to the second adhering surface of the first adhesive strip; a first releasably attachable pad that has a front side with a releasably attachable surface and a back side that is adhered to a second surface of the backer/stabilizer; a second releasably attachable pad that has a front side with a releasably attachable surface and which is configured to be releasably attached to the front side of the first releasably attachable pad; and a second adhesive strip that has a first adhering surface for adhering to a back side of the second releasably attachable pad, and a second adhering surface for adhering to a surface of the second object.

Granted European patent EP 0 251 470 (LABROSSE et al) discloses a prefabricated bow form for a Pom bow comprising two bow ribbons of a first width having first and second ends and being disposed in opposed relationship, and at least one tie ribbon having first and second ends and being disposed centrally between said bow ribbons, the first ends of said bow and tie ribbons being firmly bonded together, said bow ribbons being bonded together at a plurality of spaced bonded areas adjacent both longitudinal edges of said tie ribbon so that said tie ribbon is unbonded to said bow ribbons but constrained between said bow ribbons, said spaced bonded areas defining fold lines extending across said bow ribbons about which fold lines the bow ribbons will fold when a bow is formed by gathering the bonded areas adjacent said first ends, characterized by the feature that said fold lines include spaced adjacent fold lines generally at right angles to the longitudinal edges of said bow ribbons and defining therebetween a generally central loop forming portion on each of said bow ribbons, and spaced fold lines between said central portion and, both ends of said bow ribbons disposed at acute included angles with the longitudinal edges of said bow ribbons with said acute included angles with respect to each longitudinal edge being alternately disposed adjacent and opposite said first end, said fold lines between the central portions and said second ends of said bow ribbons forming at least two loop forming portions on each of said bow ribbons, and said fold lines between said central portion and said first ends together with said bond at the first ends of said ribbons forming at least three loop forming portions on each of said bow ribbons, and said fold lines at acute included angles adjacent said fold lines at right angles forming generally triangular portions on each of said bow ribbons at both ends of said central loop forming portion.

In contrast, the present invention provides an easy, self-contained means to decorate a bottle or similar tubular item, more particularly solving a problem of attaching a bow to an item that is not flat, as well as flat, wherein mostly bows fit and look best on items that are flat. In addition or the alternative, it provides a solution that looks good from all angles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention there is provided a decorative device comprising a loop with a central axis, a flexible decoration situated along that central axis, and a temporary means of attachment to a surface situated along the central axis.

In the preferred embodiments, the flexible decoration is a bow comprised of ribbon, fabric, film or other elongate planar flexible material, and arranged in extending plural loops or ends to form a domed shaped decoration.

It is envisaged the bow may be comprised of multiple gatherings of a single piece or multiple pieces of ribbon, silk, film or other relatively thin elongate fabric or material which is/are shaped into three dimensional shapes.

Ends of the ribbon may also be visible in the flexible decoration. Further embodiments may include a plurality of different materials or alternate arrangements. For example the flexible decoration may comprise tissue paper in some embodiments, whereas in other embodiments there may be cellophane, plastics or metallic parts that may extend, be suspended or otherwise form shapes.

In some embodiments the flexible decoration may combine, cooperate or enhance the loop, whereas in preferred embodiments the flexible decoration or where appropriate bow, is envisaged to largely hide the loop.

It is envisaged the decorative device may also include a label or tag integrated to the design so that a message can be included with the gift for the recipient or details of the gift such as type or ingredients may be included. For example, the flexible decoration may also include a label or tag integrated to the design so that a message can be included with the gift for the recipient or details of the gift such as type or ingredients may be included.

The ribbon or film used may be of a variety of sizes and colours so as to provide alternative designs.

It is envisaged in some embodiments that the ribbon or film may be patterned or printed to provide further variation. The bow may also include other materials such as fabric, glitter, moulded shapes, string or wire.

In another embodiment, the flexible decoration may be formed into other shapes. The decorative device may be made to fit a particular bottle or to have significance to a particular user, for example being in the shape of a particular flower or animal.

In preferred embodiments, the gatherings of ribbon and/or film form loops are secured to a central location around the loop that acts as a tying point for the flexible decoration.

In some embodiments the loop is flexible or elastic and consequently can be flexed or stretched over a surface, for example a plurality of bottle necks.

In all preferred embodiments the flexible decoration is fastened to the loop, to enable the decorative device to be placed over a surface stretching along the axis such as bottle, post or pole.

It is envisaged therefore that the loop may be a flexible or rigid in the form of a ring or cuff. In a flexible form, the loop may be elasticated so as to fit any item. In this way the loop may supplement or provide the attachment means.

The loop may alternatively include an elasticated portion or segment for ease of fitting to the surface, or to allow the loop to fit over, for example, a lid or stopper. The loop may be helically resiliently deformable, so as to allow twisting into place.

Typically the loop is positioned centrally with respect to the flexible decoration so that when the decoration is placed onto, for example the bottle, it appears visually the same from all angles and that the method of connection is not visible. Alternatively, the flexible decoration may be offset from the central axis of the loop or otherwise arranged so as to allow for different fashions.

Some embodiments or forms of loop position, arrangement or fashion may also allow the bottle to be opened and poured with the decorative device and/or flexible decoration still in place which may be desirable for a special occasion or restaurant environment, or shop window.

It is envisaged that the loop, which may, for example, be a ring or cuff, may include an absorbent layer so as to catch any drips or spills made during pouring.

In another embodiment, the loop may be offset from a central position to facilitate different decorative finishes.

The flexible decoration may be tied to the loop as part of the formation of the decoration using the loop as a securing point. Alternatively the flexible decoration, for example the bow, may be formed independently of the loop and then attached separately and/or detached or displaced.

In some preferred embodiments, the flexible decoration also includes adhesive as the means whereby the decorative device is attached to the surface.

Typically, therefore, the decorative device includes means such as sticky tabs that can be used to attach the device to prevent the device from falling off during transport or storage. More particularly, this also enables items such as bottles of wine to be stacked horizontally with the device.

Note that the various features of the present invention described above may be practiced alone or in combination. These and other features of the present invention will be described in more detail below in the detailed description of the invention and in conjunction with the following figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

In order that the present invention may be more clearly ascertained, some embodiments will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective bottom view of a decorative device in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the decorative device of FIG. 1 when partly assembled;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the decorative device of FIG. 1 when partly assembled;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the decorative device of FIG. 1 when fitted to a bottle; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the decorative device of FIG. 1 when fitted to decorate a wrapped article.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3 of the drawings, there is shown a decorative device 10 in accordance with the present invention comprising a central loop 11 and a plurality of flexible bows 12 each attached to the loop and extending radially outwardly thereof.

The loop 11 comprises an annular ring of a rigid or resiliently flexible material. Each bow 12 comprises an elongate flexible bow member 16 of silk, ribbon, paper, fabric or other deformable material. The bows 12 are formed by folding the bow member 12 transversely of itself at at least one point along its length to form a layered structure, each such structure being attached to the loop intermediate its opposite ends by a tie 18, which gathers and holds each layer together against the loop 11. The free ends of the layers are then pulled radially outwardly of the loop 11 and distorted to form the desired shape of the device. The bows 12 are affixed in such a manner as to leave the loop 11 unobstructed and preferably visible from the underside of the device. Some of the layers may be twisted about their longitudinal axis. A plurality of bows 12 may be tied to the loop 11 together in a stacked configuration.

Referring to FIG. 4 of the drawings, a bottle B may be decorated by passing a neck portion of the bottle B through the loop 11 of the device 10. The bows 12 are configured such that the mouth of the bottle B is exposed through the top of the device 10, thereby allowing the bottle B to be opened and poured with the device 10 still in place. A portion of the loop 11 may include an absorbent material so as to catch any drips or spills made during pouring. The loop 11 may resiliently engage the neck of the bottle B or the density and resilience of the bows 12 may act to hold the device 10 in-situ.

Referring to FIG. 5 of the drawings, a wrapped article A may be decorated by twisting or gathering the sheet of wrapping material 20 to form an envelope which contains the article A, the twisted or gathered portion of the sheet 20 then being pulled through the loop 11. The device 11 thus acts to secure the wrapping sheet 20 around the article A as well as providing an aesthetic decoration.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A decorative device comprising a central loop and a plurality of flexible bows each attached to the loop and extending radially outwardly thereof.
 2. A decorative device as claimed in claim 1, in which the loop is rigid.
 3. A decorative device as claimed in claim 1, in which the loop is resiliently flexible.
 4. A decorative device as claimed in claim 1, in which a plurality of said flexible bows also extend axially of the loop.
 5. A decorative device as claimed in claim 1, in which the bows are tied to the loop by tie members.
 6. A decorative device as claimed in claim 1, in which a plurality of said flexible bows each comprise a elongate flexible bow member which is folded transversely of itself at at least one point along its length to form a structure having layers, each such bow being attached to the loop in a manner which holds each layer together against the loop.
 7. A decorative device as claimed in claim 6, in which at least one layer is axially twisted.
 8. A method of decorating an object comprising providing a device as claimed in claim 1 and passing a portion of the object through the loop of the device.
 9. A method of decorating an object as claimed in claim 8, in which the object comprises a bottle, the method comprising passing a neck portion of the bottle through the loop of the device.
 10. A method of decorating an object as claimed in claim 9, in which the device is fitted to the bottle such that an upper end of the neck of the bottle is exposed and substantially unobstructed by any said bows.
 11. A method of decorating an object as claimed in claim 8, in which the object comprises a wrapping sheet surrounding an article, the method comprising passing a portion of the wrapping sheet through the loop of the device.
 12. A method of decorating an object as claimed in claim 11, comprising passing a free portion of the wrapping sheet through the loop of the device.
 13. A method of decorating an object as claimed in claim 12, comprising twisting the free portion of the wrapping sheet prior to inserting it through the loop of the device.
 14. A method of decorating an object as claimed in claim 12, comprising gathering the free portion of the wrapping sheet prior to inserting it through the loop of the device.
 15. An assembly comprising a bottle and a device as claimed in claim 1, the loop of the device extending around a neck of the bottle.
 16. An assembly as claimed in claim 15, in which the loop engages the neck of the bottle.
 17. An assembly as claimed in claim 16, in which an upper end of the neck of the bottle is exposed and substantially unobstructed by any bows of the device.
 18. An assembly comprising an article, a wrapping sheet extending around the article and a device as claimed in claim 1, the loop of the device extending around a free portion of the wrapping sheet. 